ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has promoted Rural sports in the country under the aegis of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Programme: Shri Anurag Thakur
One of the verticals of the Khelo India Scheme, “Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games”, is dedicated specifically to the encouragement of rural sports activities in the country, including the rural areas of Maharashtra. This Ministry has provided financial assistance to the concerned Sports Federations for conducting competitive events in Mallakhamb, Mitti Dangal , tug of war, etc. in the rural areas of Maharashtra. 37 players of Maharashtra who have won medals in Mallakhamb at the national level are receiving scholarship at the rate of Rs. 10,000/- per month under the Khelo India Scheme. Further, rural sports are also promoted in Maharashtra and other parts of the country under the aegis of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat  Programme of which the sports component is implemented by this Ministry.
‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility to develop special facilities to encourage meritorious children and youth in rural areas so that they also get an opportunity to play in national/international competitions and represent the nation rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements their efforts. However, under the Khelo India Scheme of this Ministry, 12 sports infrastructure projects of various categories have been sanctioned, 28 sports academies have been accredited and 44 Khelo India Centres  and one Khelo India State Centre of Excellence have been approved in the State of Maharashtra. Further, the Sports Authority of India  runs 2 National Centres of Excellence , one Indigenous Games and Martial Arts School  and 14 Adopted Akharas in the State of Maharashtra. The sportspersons being trained at these sports facilities belong to all sections of society including the rural, backward and tribal areas of the country and are provided with regular training on residential and non-residential basis as per the approved norms of the schemes.
This information was given by Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Indian Naval Hospital Ship Patanjali at the Forefront of Fight Against Covid-19 at Karwar
Indian Naval Hospital Patanjali at Karwar has been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, by treating the patients from the Uttara Kannada district.
Acting on a request from the Karwar District Administration upon announcement of nation-wide lockdown on 25 Mar 20, INHS Patanjali was prepared in every aspect within 24 hours to receive the first group of COVID-19 positive patients on 28 Mar 2020. A team of three doctors, nine medical staff alongwith and nine support staff has ensured 24 x 7 care to the nine COVID-19 positive patients admitted thus far.
Out of the nine patients admitted at the hospital, eight have been cured and discharged so far. With the discharge of these eight patients over last few days, the hospital is now attending to a lone patient admitted on 16 Apr who is also responding favourably to the treatment.
In view of this additional responsibility, INS Patanjali has made alternate arrangements for routine medical attention to the large population of service personnel and families dependent on the hospital.
Ministry of Defence
Op SANKALP : 3RD YEAR OF INDIAN NAVY’S MARITIME SECURITY OPERATIONS
Indian Navy’s stealth Frigate, INS Talwar is presently deployed for Op Sankalp commemorating the 3rd continuous year of Indian Navy’s presence in the Gulf for protection of India’s Maritime Interests.
In the milieu of the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf region, post attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Oman in June 2019, Indian Navy had commenced Maritime Security Operations, code named ‘Op SANKALP’, in the Gulf Region on 19 June 2019 to ensure safe passage of Indian Flag Vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
This operation is being progressed in close coordination with all stakeholders including Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and DG, Shipping.
Indian Navy continues to monitor the situation in the Gulf region and is maintaining presence in the region to ensure security of our sea borne trade and the safety of Indian Flag Merchant Vessels transiting through the region. The Indian Navy stands committed to protection of the nation's Maritime Interests.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
208.95 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
38,64,471 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 1,01,343
Active cases stand at 0.23%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.58%
16,251 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,36,70,315
12,608 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
88.14 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,62,020 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Defence
Casevac at Chanderkot
On 24 Dec 18 at 1040 hrs Western Air Command of Indian Air force launched two Cheetah helicopters, of the Udhampur based unit “HOVERING HAWKS” to carry out casualty evacuation from Chanderkot helipad on a short notice. As per initial information received a civil bus on move from Badgam to Kanpur fell into the valley near Ramban which led to several critical casualties. At 1045 hrs, 02 heptrs and 02 set of crew were standby to takeoff from Udhampur to Chanderkot helipad where the casualties were initially evacuated. On getting a go ahead for one heptr at 1050 hrs, Wg Cdr V Mehta as captain with co-pilot Arunima Vidhate got airborne from Udhampur. Meanwhile after ascertaining the requirement, on the call of Wg Cdr V Mehta, second heptr got airborne from Udhampur with SqnLdr SK Prasad as captain and Flt Lt Siddhant Yadav as co-pilot.
First heptr landed at Chanderkot Helipad at 1125 hrs and picked up 03 critically injured Jawans of ITBP who were amongst the 09 critically injured travelling in fateful bus. The other heptr landed at 1225 hrs and picked 02 remaining critical Jawans along with medical attendant. 04 Casualties were picked up by civil helicopter. “Due to power station and several microwave towers on eastern side of helipad, heptrs had to carry out one sided approaches and take offs with thorough traffic coordination with civil helicopters. Additionally, the site had limited manoeuvring space” said the mission leader and captain of the lead aircraft Wg Cdr Vishal Mehta.
Both the heptrs continued to Jammu airport, where the ambulance was ready to attend the casualty. The casualties suffered serious injuries which included facial/head injuries, fractured leg and major bruises on arms. Although they had been recovered from the accident site to Ramban DH their situation was highly critical and speedy evacuation to a better medical facility was the only lifesaving measure available.
The crew of HOVERING HAWKS executed the mission with extreme professionalism keeping up the highest traditions of the IAF.
ARG/BBS
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President's Secretariat
Envoys of five nations present credentials to President of India
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind accepted credentials from Ambassadors/High Commissioners of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Republic of Malawi, Canada, the Republic of Indonesia and the Russian Federation at Rashtrapati Bhavan today . Those who presented their credentials were:
1. H.E. Mr. Abderrahmane Benguerrah, Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
2. H.E. Mr. Leonard Senza Mengezi, High Commissioner of the Republic of Malawi
3. H.E. Mr. Cameron Dean MacKay, High Commissioner of Canada
4. H.E. Ms. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia
5. H.E. Mr. Denis Evgenyevich Alipov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation
After presentation of credentials, the President interacted with the five envoys separately. He congratulated them on their appointments and emphasized on the warm and friendly relations that India shared with the countries and the multifaceted relationship that India enjoyed with each of them. The President also wished them success in strengthening of bilateral ties and for their well-being and progress and prosperity of the friendly people.
Through the Ambassadors and the High Commissioners, the President also conveyed his personal regards to their leaderships. The envoys present at the event reiterated their commitment to work closely to strengthen their ties with India.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Insurance of Road Projects
There is provision for various insurances to be undertaken by the contractor at its own cost in highway development projects. As per the provision of the Agreement, the contractor/concessionaire is required to maintain following insurance for any loss and damages from the appointed date till the date of issue of the Completion Certificate.
 Insurance of works, plants and machineries
 Insurance of contractor’s equipment and documents
 Insurance for Contractor’s Defect liability
 Insurance against injury to persons and damage to property.
Section 161  vide Motor Vehicle  Act, 2019, made provisions to enhance compensation in case of hit and run motor accident from Rs. 12,500/- to Rs 50,000/- for grievous hurt and from Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 2,00,000/- in case of death. The Ministry has notified a new scheme as Compensation to Victims of Hit & Run Motor Accidents Scheme, 2022, vide notification GSR 163  dated 25th February 2022. The implementation of this Scheme is pan-India. Ministry has also published rules, vide notification GSR 162  dated 25th February 2022, regarding creation, operation and sources of the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, to be used for providing compensation in case of Hit & Run accidents, treatment for accident victims and any other purpose, as may be specified by the Central Government.
Total number of road accidents occurred under category of hit and run in country during the period from 2015 to 2020 is given in table below.
|
|
Type of Collision
|
|
2015
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
2020
|
|
Hit and Run
|
|
57083
|
|
55942
|
|
65186
|
|
69822
|
|
57987
|
|
52448
This information was given by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister's Office
PM dedicates the Joint Venture Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt. Ltd. to the Nation, at Amethi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, visited Kauhar, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh today. He dedicated to the nation, the Joint Venture of Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd, for Kalashnikov Assault Rifle Production.
He also laid the Foundation Stone and dedicated various development projects in Amethi.
In his special message on the occasion, which was read out by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that “the new joint venture will manufacture world famous Kalashnikov assault rifles of the newest 200 series and eventually will reach full localization of production. Thus, the Indian defence-industrial sector will have the opportunity to fulfill the needs of national security agencies in this category of small arms, resting upon advanced Russian technologies.”
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister thanked President Putin for this partnership. He said lakhs of rifles will be made from this facility in Amethi, and will strengthen our security forces.
He also said that this development has been long delayed. He said that this delay in the production of modern rifles for our soldiers, actually amounts to an injustice to the jawans. He recalled that despite projecting a requirement for bullet-proof jackets in 2009, no such jackets were procured till 2014. This requirement has now been fulfilled by the Union Government, he added. He said that earlier, such delays had also been happening in procurement of other important armaments. In this context, he also mentioned the Rafale fighter planes, and said these will start joining the Air Force within a few months, as a result of the efforts of the Union Government.
He also mentioned other development projects in Amethi, which were facing various bottlenecks in operationalization. He said those bottlenecks were being removed, so that the projects could be operationalized, and provide employment to people. He said the implementation of schemes such as PM Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Saubhagya Yojana and construction of toilets, in Amethi, is now bringing ease of living to the people.
The Prime Minister said that the Union Government is empowering the poor, and helping them come out of poverty. He said similarly, the farmers are being empowered. In this context, he mentioned the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. He said this scheme will ensure that 7.5 lakh crore rupees reach farmers over the next ten years.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
220.63 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
7,850 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 1,835
Active cases stand at 0.01%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.81%
113 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,41,51,910
126 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
91.75 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 1,15,409 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles demise of noted neurologist Dr. Ashok Panagariya
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of noted neurologist Dr. Ashok Panagariya.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Dr. Ashok Panagariya made a mark as an outstanding neurologist. His pioneering work in the medical field will benefit generations of doctors and researchers. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti."
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
STEPS TAKEN TO BOOST EXPORTS OF PROCESSED FOOD
The efforts being made by Government for promoting exports of processed food products include:
 A comprehensive “Agriculture Export Policy” has been introduced to harness export potential of Indian agriculture.
 Products Specific Export Promotion Forums set up by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority  to give impetus to the export of potential products as well as to remove the bottlenecks in the supply chain.
 APEDA has also formed Export Promotion Forums  for the products, viz., Grapes, Onions, Mango, Banana, Pomegranate, Floriculture, Rice, Dairy Products and Nutri cereals.
 A Farmer Connect Portal has been set up for providing a platform for farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations  and cooperatives to interact with exporters.
 Assistance provided through several other schemes to promote exports, including food products export, viz. Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme , Market Access Initiatives  Scheme, Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products , Export Promotion schemes of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority & Marine Products Export Development Authority , etc.
 District as Export Hubs  scheme is being implemented using ODOP approach with an objective of converting each District of the country into a Manufacturing and Export Hub by identifying products with export potential in the district.
 Under the Production Linked Incentives  scheme for food products, marketing and branding support is provided by Ministry of Food Processing Industries for enhancing global visibility of Indian food products.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Central Pollution Control Board to strengthen monitoring of Pollution in tributaries of Ganga.
An inter-ministerial meeting was held in the presence of Union Environment Minister,Shri Prakash Javadekar and Union Minister of Jal Shakti,Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi today. The meeting was attended by senior officials of both the ministry.
In thhe meeting pending issues of Environment/Forest clearence of National Projects of Central Water Commission, National Water Development Agency and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-AIBP were discussed.
Further, Union Minister of Jal Shakti requested the Central Pollution Control Board to strengthen the pollution monitoring system in Ganga and it’s major tributaries wherein inspection of Grossly Polluting Industries are carried out on regular basis. Similarly, close monitoring of water quality in coordination with National Mission on Clean Ganga was emphasised and it was agreed upon that suitable mechanism will be developed.
Union Environment Minister,Shri Prakash Javadekar urged the officials of both the ministry to work in close tandem and expedite approvals of key river projects of national importance after following due process and also put in institutional mechanism to monitor water quality of Ganga and it’s major tributaries. At the meeting ,Shri Javadekar also also informed that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has in principle approved a special programme for conservation of Gangetic Dolphin, on the lines of Project Tiger and Project Elephant.
Ministry of Finance
Collection of information related to Passenger Name Record 
In order to provide a defined framework for collection of specified details relating to international passengers travelling by Air, the Passenger Name Record Information Regulations, 2022  were notified on 08th August, 2022. These regulations are meant to enhance detection, interdiction and investigative capabilities of Customs Authorities using non-intrusive techniques for combating offences related to smuggling of contraband such as narcotics, psychotropic substances, gold, arms & ammunition etc. that directly impact national security. This mechanism is being widely used by border management agencies of several administrations.
The salient points of the Regulations are as under:
- The Regulations require the operator of Aircrafts  to transmit specified information electronically to the designated Customs System. Passengers are not required to individually submit any information to Customs, neither do they need to furnish any additional information to the Airlines on account of these regulations. Airlines are already collecting this information under the aegis of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
- The data exchange between the Airlines and the Customs Systems is through the PNRGOV EDIFACT message format. This is a standard electronic message format endorsed jointly by the World Customs Organisation , International Civil Aviation Organisation  and the International Air Transport Association  and is widely used internationally.
- Although some data elements included in the Regulations are available from other sources, the objective of these regulations is to obtain this data in advance of departure or arrival of the passengers for analytics by the Customs Risk Management System.
- The information collected is subject to strict information privacy and data protection and there are adequate legal and administrative safeguards built in. Processing of the information to reveal ethnicity, race, religious or philosophical beliefs, health etc. is strictly prohibited. Hardware and software necessary for data protection has already been envisaged. The information received is used for further processing only by a senior officer of the rank of Principal Additional Director General/Additional Director General.
- In normal course, the data collected is stored only for five years after which it is disposed of by depersonalisation or anonymisation. The Regulations provide for an extensive and independent system audit and security audit to prevent misuse of the information.
The Regulations strike a good balance between the needs of privacy and the imperatives of security. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs is committed to work with all stakeholders to enable a smooth transition and implementation of these regulations
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Impact of GST on Airfares
Under the GST regime the applicable tax rate on passenger tickets for economy class has been reduced from 6% to 5% . The tax rate for business and first class has been increased from 9% to 12% . With regard to the UDAN Scheme, the applicable tax would also be 5%  on the value of the passenger ticket excluding the subsidies provided by the Central Government and the State Governments. Moreover, since the maximum airfare or cap prescribed for the Regional Connectivity Scheme  seats is inclusive of the applicable GST and the same is reimbursable to the airline operator concerned at actuals from the Regional Connectivity Fund, there would be no impact on fares charged from passengers booked on RCS seats.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Civil Aviation Shri Jayant Sinha in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition of 7.73% equity share capital of Jio Platforms Limited by Google International LLC
The Competition Commission of India  approves acquisition of 7.73% equity share capital of Jio Platforms Limited  by Google International LLC  under Section 31 of the Competition Act, 2002.
GIL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Google LLC. Google LLC is a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. GIL is a holding company and does not own / operate any of Google’s products/ services.
JPL is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, which holds the majority of its issued equity share capital. JPL along with its subsidiaries primarily offers / will offer digital products / services, including wireless, home broadband and enterprise broadband services, telecommunication services, mobile applications, various digital platforms, back-end technology services for ecommerce entities and other miscellaneous software and technology related services.
Detailed order of the Commission will follow.